MarytheKaytheBlog

Organizing in the New Year: The Medicine Cabinet

Please welcome my big sis once again, as she shares some of her organizational wisdom.  I've been begging Gina to write some organization posts here for a couple of years.  Y'all, Gina has such fabulous organization ideas in her home that she doesn't even mind that I open all of her cabinets and closets when I visit!

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I love to organize...I do it like an extreme sport at times!!  But like most of you, I am busy and I sometimes live with a less-than-organized cabinet or drawer--until I really have the time to tackle it or I get tired of the mess.  Today was one of those times.  I was putting away medicine that I bought while travelling for Christmas holiday and I had trouble closing one of my medicine drawers...ugh!  So I got to work taking everything out, and inspecting the dates on all the bottles and packages.  I incorporated all the band-aids in one box which helped a lot. After that, I put back into the cabinet only what we really use.  I didn't take a "before" picture, but here is the "after".

Each of the drawers are labeled for a husband and children to easily find what they need.  You can see we don't have a lot of medicine.  Our kids are not sick very often.  But we do have 8-10 kinds of bandages--so you can guess what kind of ailments we have at our house!  Most of them are left over from surgical procedures or stitches!!!  Those go in the first aid drawer, along with antibiotic creams and poison ivy meds.

 The drawer labeled "Pain Relief, stomach, etc." is a catch-all for sinus medicine, stomach medicine and travel sickness medicine.  We don't keep any narcotic medication like Hydrocodone where our children can get to it.  Actually, if we are given narcotics after a surgery, I only keep it while it is needed. 

 Finally, I keep a drawer for kid's medications, and the caps for our ear thermometer.  I only have one child still taking children's medication, so this drawer will soon be used for other things. 

 Here is the trash pile!  I found a lot of things we don't use anymore (children's tablets, for instance) and drugs long past their expiration date.

Whew...20 minutes later I feel so much better just looking in this medicine cabinet!  I think January is a great time to tackle places like this in our homes.  It is good to take one at time...unless you find some unused steroids in your medicine cabinet.  In that case, you could get a LOT of organizing done!  :)

 Happy New Year!

 All right--who's motivated to tackle your medicine cabinet?

Or...who wants GINA to come work on your medicine cabinet??

Tying up 2012 in a Pretty Bow

Last night as I was working away on the last of my Christmas cards (I KNOW!!), I saw a piece of paper with my husbands handwriting--with a list of 7 questions and answers.  

I couldn't resist reading every word he'd written.  It was fascinating.

And, then I couldn't resist coming over here to tell you guys all about it!

The (fabulous and cool!) list of questions my husband had answered was from Michael Hyatt's blog.  If you don't already read his blog, you should.  It's amazing, and chock-full of helpful and inspiring advice about life and leadership and pursuing your dreams.

These 7 questions of Michael Hyatt's are a wonderful way to spend some time thinking about last year.  There's no better way to set goals for the new year, than using last year as a gauge.

Here are the 7 questions to help you tie up 2012 in a pretty bow, before stepping into 2013.  2013 is fresh, with no mistakes (name that movie).  I pray that 2012 inspires you to step into 2013 with your eyes fixed only on those things which are important.

 1.  If last year were a movie of your life, what would your genre be? Drama, romance, adventure, comedy, tragedy, or a combination? 

Mine would be adventure, with some intrigue mixed in as I searched high and low, and high and low again to find better ways to help my child with dyslexia-type issues. 

2.   What were the two or three major themes that kept recurring?  These can be single words or phrases. 

Facing the reality of the (rising prices and non-rising salaries) economy in our personal finances and jobs.

Trying to make good long-term life and financial decisions, rather than the feel-good short-term ones we'd RATHER make.

Being more deliberate about bonding and making memories for our little family of four.

 3.  What did you accomplish this past year that you are the most proud of? These can be in any area of your life—spiritual, relational, vocational physical, etc.  Be as specific as possible.

Receiving my first-ever paycheck as a writer!

Helping both daughters achieve some educational success this year!  (And it has NOT been easy.)

Starting a new hobby for our family--hiking and adventuring!

Playing more board games together, and enjoying nights together, at home.

More consistent at having a daily devotional time.

 4.  What do you feel you should have been acknowledged for but weren’t?  Okay, this is a little too personal for me to respond to directly. 

 5.  What disappointments or regrets did you experience this past year?  As leaders, we (Michael Hyatt) naturally have high expectations of ourselves and others. Where did you let yourself down? Where did you let others down? 

I gave myself a break, and didn't teach my Christmas Around the World classes.  As good as that was for me personally, part of me was sad to not to have taught them.

I haven't run in a month and a half.  I have missed those endorphins.

I was reminded that even people I love dearly can disappoint me.

6.  What was missing from last year as you look back?  Again, look at each major area of your life. Don’t focus now on having to do anything about it. For now, just list each item. 

I didn't read as many books.  I blame you, Netflix!!!  

A family vacation (Working on improving that one this week!!)

A maid.

And a clean house.

 7.  What were the major life-lessons you learned this past year?  Boil this down to a few short, pithy statements.

 Even the smallest daily commitment for devotions/quiet time reaps spiritual benefits I need and crave.

I need to remember (again and again) that love is an action.  And I need to show it daily, and even when I don't feel like it, to the people in my life.

Create a home environment that is fun and uplifting...to come home to.

I sure would LOVE to hear some of your answers...!

Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  I sure do love ya'll.  I really, really do!

Quick and Easy Christmas Gift for Teachers

Oh, I do love the words "quick" and "easy!"

Don't you?

I especially love them when they refer to cutie pie little gifts that are thoughtful.

(And also inexpensive...But--shh!--don't tell anybody!!)

Now that Rebecca's in public school, she has at least 10 teachers when you count the extras that help in some of her classes.  That is not even counting the office ladies who are so kind, and some of the administration.  Yikes--teacher gifts can certainly add up in the cash-ola department of who-has-extra-money-to-spend-at-Christmas!

We did want to do something thoughtful for her teachers, but also inexpensive and not too time-consuming.  In other words--QUICK, EASY, and CHEAP.  (Yep, now we're talking!)

I put together these little gift sacks (with a Starbucks gift card and snowmen marshmallows)--and they fit into all three of those categories.  

We're also sending these little gifts NOW, so that her teachers can enjoy a hot peppermint mocha...or a gingerbread latte...or a caramel brulee latte...during this festive, yet busy, season.

Please feel free to COPY this easy idea!  I am also including a FREE PRINTABLE of the gift tags we used!!

 Download Peppermint Mocha Gift Tags -  Adobe/PDF 

Download Peppermint Mocha Gift Tags  -  Microsoft Word

I'd sure love to hear if you use this idea--or something similar!  

Not a Starbucks fan?  Is Sonic more your style?  Here's another Quick & Easy gift card wrapping idea!

What kind of Quick & Easy gifts do you like to give?

The TOP TEN Reasons I'm Ready for this Election to be O-VER

1.  So I can have my home phone back.  Anyone else tired of political recordings on your answering machines?  (You hipster people without home phones have no idea what I'm talking about, do you?...Oh, just go eat some more hummus and quinoa.)

2.  I'm tired of Facebook messing with my ability to like certain people.  Is it too much to ask to be able to stalk nearly complete strangers without being subjected to political talk???  Let's get back to good old fashioned bragging and cryptic cries for attention.

3.  All this talk of whether or not I'll have Medicare or Social Security when I need it in 20 years is downright depressing.  Let's talk about whether or not I'll get some cowgirl boots for Christmas, instead.  (Is anybody lis-ten-ingggg?  I said BOOTS...size 9...)

4.  I'm tired of politicians in khaki pants and rolled up sleeves of their starched shirts kissing babies and shaking hands.  Let me see them AFTER the election helping those in need.  Then, let's see whose sleeves are still rolled up!

5.  Who else is ready for some different material for the news reporters?  (Perhaps...more of the truthful variety, hmm?)

6.  Because once this election business is over, maybe our divided country can focus on something happy--like Christmas and Black Friday sales and having to park 3 miles from the Walmart entrance.

7.  Rudolph and Frosty and 34th Street Miracles...instead of Barry and Mitt and Candy disasters...

8.  So I can stop obsessively checking the top news sites right before turning out the light.  Political news is not the best inducer of sweet dreams.

9.  Because I am ready for this knot in the pit of my stomach to go away...

10.  Surely God is tired of hearing prayers for each group's "savior."  I bet He's ready to have us focus on the One and True Savior.  The One who will be able to balance the budget...the One who cares not only about the middle class and the poor, but also the wealthy...the One who will wipe away tears, and the need for Medicare, and the fear of nuclear weapons.

The One who not only reaches out to shake our hands and kiss our babies, but tells us that He loves us.   The One who not only speaks promises, but stretches out his arms, and provides a way to fulfill His promise.

THAT is whom I vote for.  In Him, is where I place my trust.

All the rest...is just a distraction.

How are YOU feeling about the election?

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An Easy Way to Get Rid of Pesky Fruit Flies

I don't know WHAT is up at our house, but lately we've had lots and lots of fruit flies.  Please tell me I am not alone, and please tell me it's not because I am a slovenly housekeeper.

Have YOU had trouble with fruit flies lately?

Just in case you missed my post a couple of years ago, I thought I'd be all helpful-like, and re-post it.  Fasten your seat belts--I am about to give you an EASY BREEZY SOLUTION (literally-ha!!!) to murder those little suckers.

Without further ado, here is the super-secret solution for fruit fly homicide...from October 2010...

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 If you followed along last week on our Great Bike Challenge, you know we've been out-of-town for over a week.  When we got home from Maine, we had a little problem.  Fruit flies.  We were welcomed home by the friendliest sort of fruit flies--they just swarmed to welcome us!

Those pesky things are VERY annoying!  They seem to come from nowhere, and honestly--give me the heebie jeebies. 

I did a little bit of research, and found a VERY EASY WAY to escort them...well, onto their final resting place, that's where!

Don't you love a solution that uses common household products?  To get rid of fruit flies, all you need are 3 things:

  1.  A bowl

  2.  Apple cider vinegar (or soda, fruit juice, or wine)

  3.  A drop or two of dish soap 

Pour about an inch of the apple cider vinegar (from what I read, white vinegar does not work nearly as well).  On top of the vinegar, put a squirt or two of liquid dish soap.

Leave the dish out overnight, and watch those fruit flies take a nose-dive to eternity.

The vinegar/dish soap trap works really great--but don't forget to take care of the things in your kitchen that are attracting any flies.  Put any fruit sitting out into the refrigerator (or throw away).  Wash any dirty washcloths or sponges, wipe up any spills or messes.

(I'm sorry if there are any fruit fly animal rights' people reading.  Just rest assured the fruit flies died happy--swimming in the apple cider vinegar.)

 

On a related note...I am loving vinegar's widespread applications lately, and am using it for more and more things around the house.  Do you use much vinegar?

How about you?  What is your favorite natural remedy around the house?

A Very Scientific OCD Quiz

I had a fascinating conversation with one of our summer staff members the other night--about the way she ate M&Ms.  I figured she had a "system" of eating the colorful candy, but I had no idea it would be quite so interesting.  For myself, I know that I subconsciously eat 2 plain M&Ms at a time.  But, this girl--let's call her "T"--she not only eats them 2 at a time, she eats them in the ORDER of the RAINBOW.  As in "Roy G. Biv" order of the rainbow.  (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet)

Wow.  That practically knocked my socks off.

She also confessed to her system of eating Wintergreen LifeSavers:  2 in each cheek for maximum enjoyment and fresh breath!

I should tell you right now that "T" is one of my favorite summer staff.  She is not only very smart, she is very funny.  The fact that she eats her M&Ms in rainbow order only further proves to me that she is "good people."

In light of my fascinating M&M and Wintergreen LifeSaver conversation the other night, I thought it would be FUN to host a little

What is YOUR Preferred Mode of OCD?? Quiz

All very scientific, of course.  

'Cause you know--I play a scientist on the internet, I do.  I am very good with the Wikipedia and the Google.

Enough chitter chatter.  On with the quiz.  On with scientific discovery!

 

What is YOUR Preferred Mode of OCD??

1.  Do you have a special system of eating M&Ms?  Please explain.

2.  Do you have a system/order for eating the food on your plate?  Please explain.

3.  How is your clothes closet organized?

4.  How is the cash in your wallet organized?

5.  Which foot leads, as you're walking up or down stairs?

6.  Do you load or unload your shopping cart a certain way?

7.  Do you like your martini shaken or stirred?

8.  If you did not understand the reference in #7, then you obviously did not have an older brother growing up who hogged the channel changer, and made you watch James Bond instead of The Love Boat and Fantasy Island.  Meanie.

9.  Speaking of growing up, does this quiz remind you of the awesome quizzes they used to have in Young Miss or Seventeen magazines growing up?  I LOVED those quizzes.  Have you looked at those magazines lately???  Either I have become an old fogey, or those magazines are tra-shay now.

10.  Can you tell I just HAD to get to #10?  Well, duh, this IS an OCD quiz.  And only crazy people would end on an ODD number.

Now...GO!  Answer the quiz in the Comments...if you DARE!!!  

And then--just for fun--we can vote on WHO is the CRAZIEST COMMENTER!!!  

Oh shucks, ya'll know I'm just kidding! 

(or am I???)

How to Remember Our Troops Every Single Day

Our daughter came up with a simple way to remember our troops every single day.  When she told me about it, I thought it was brilliant--and decided to join in!  

Whenever the clock reads 9:11--she prays for our troops.  

If she happens to notice the clock at 9:11 am, she says a quick prayer for our soldiers.

If she is still awake at 9:11 pm (and she ALWAYS is, the little night owl!), she prays for the soldiers.

It's such a simple gesture.  But, certainly, not so simple to the men and women who give their very lives so that my family is able to live a free life.  The VERY LEAST I can do for our troops is to PRAY FOR THEM.  And pray for THEIR FAMILIES BACK HOME.

Won't you join us?  Whenever you notice a clock that reads "9:11" please stop for a moment and pray for our soldiers.

I love our country.  Today, I am especially grateful for the men and women before us who have forged the way, who have fought the battles, who have stood for justice, and who have given their lives.

Happy Memorial Day, America!

And, thank you.

Who are you thinking about--and praying for--this Memorial Day?

The 10 Smart Phone Apps I Use Most

I could write a Broadway musical about how much I love my smart phone. 

Is that terrible? 

Should I even admit this shallow fact about myself? 

But, it's true.  I NEVER thought I'd like my DroidX phone as much as I do, and I NEVER KNEW just how helpful a little phone could be to my everyday life.

Part of my motivation in writing this post is to share the smart phone applications I find most helpful, but also to hear what apps YOU love most.  I'm sure there's so much more I could be doing with my beloved phone. 

And you know...I'm doing research for that award-winning musical...

The TOP 10 apps I use the most (on my DroidX phone):

1.  Alarm & Timer - My phone charger is on my bedside table, so I am able to use the alarm on my phone every single day.  I LOVE that I never have to worry about a power outage (not that uncommon in our neighborhood) messing with my morning alarm.  I hope I never have to go back to a traditional alarm clock.  This is one of my favorite features on my phone!

2.  Facebook and Twitter- I know those are 2 separate apps, but I use them pretty much the same on my phone.  I rarely look at Facebook or Twitter on my home computer anymore...I just don't have the time.  But, when I have a free moment in the carpool line, or waiting for an appointment, I am able to search all the latest goings-on in my social media apps. 

3.  Instagram- I JUST joined the Instagram ranks--since they just rolled out the Android version.  I'm still learning how I will use it, but so far I'm enjoying sharing photos.

4.  Gmail- I really drug my feet in making the switch from my old e-mail account to a web-based account like Gmail.  But, now, I cannot imagine switching from Gmail!  I LOVE being able to access my e-mail from anywhere--especially my phone.  My favorite feature is the ability to search old e-mails from ANY word or phrase inside the e-mail--or from the sender's name or e-mail.  I use the search feature all the time!

5.  Calendar - I am an old fashioned wall calendar hanging on the side of my fridge kind of girl, but I have recently started using my phone's Calendar app, and am feeling much more organized when I'm out-and-about.  Mostly, I use the Calendar app to schedule my family's appointments.  Standing at the receptionist's desk, I open the app and type in the next appointment as we're setting it.  Then, I always set a 24-hour-ahead reminder, so that I never forget about an appointment!

6.  Netflix- I must admit that my KIDS love this app most of all!  Since signing up with Netflix a couple of months ago, I found out there was an app--score!  I have a love-hate relationship with Netflix on my phone, though...because my kids want to "borrow my phone" ALL THE TIME.  Netflix comes in handy when we have a long wait at a restaurant, during long car travel, or when waiting on a long appointment (with the volume turned way down, of course!)

7.  TV.com- This app came pre-loaded on my Droid X, otherwise I might not have found it.  Sometimes, I will use this app to watch t.v. while I'm on the treadmill.  (I do use headphones, in order to hear better.)  This is a CBS-owned app, and it plays full episodes (as well as short previews) of some shows I would not normally have time to watch...like NCIS Los Angeles, Blue Bloods, 60 Minutes, 48 Hours Mystery, and Undercover Boss.  I don't use this app often, but when I do, I really appreciate how well it works!

8.  iHeartRadio - This is THE app I use for music when running.  I really love listening to the K-Love radio station; however, there are hundreds of other stations to choose from.

9.  Pandora- Okay, so sometimes when I'm in the mood for a particular style of music (like classical piano or Josh Groban-style ballads), Pandora is where I go. 

10.  Bible and Daily Bible - I love having a Bible with me at all times!  I use the Bible app for looking up a reference when I'm on-the-go.  The Daily Bible app sends a Bible verse or passage to my phone every single day.  I like that when I see the little Bible icon pop up (telling me there's a verse waiting to be read), I can wait until I have time to focus on that day's verse(s).  It's such a small way that I can help keep my day focused on important things.

Honorable Mentions:  I use these apps, but on a much-less consistent basis.

AccuWeather, Car Dock (for navigation), Where (for finding yummy FOOD on vacation!), Brightest Flashlight, Flixster, Shazam, and StumbleUpon (my favorite app for long road-trip "surfing")

What are your favorite smart phone apps?

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Ooh La La Cheesy Baked Spaghetti

I'm pretty much a sucker for anything that says "cheesy" or "baked"--so the minute I saw this recipe, I knew it would be a good one.

Recently, when I needed a recipe for a Frozen Dinner Co-Op, I googled "cheesy baked spaghetti" and Tammy's Recipes blog came up.  Click here for Tammy's AMAZING recipe.  Seriously, this recipe is my favorite baked spaghetti recipe I've ever made!  It's very similar to lasagna--but with spaghetti noodles.  (And angel hair noodles are my favorite, too!)

 This is one of my FAVORITE time-saving ideas:  I made my Cheesy Baked Spaghetti in round foil pans--so that I could freeze it, and then easily slide it out frozen, to put directly into my Crock Pot.  (I explained all about From Freezer to Crock Pot to Table here.)

So, what are you waiting for?  Go purchase your ingredients and 2 round foil pans.  Make one for yourself, and one to freeze for later.  Then, when you find out someone who needs a yummy meal, you will feel like Holly Homemaker when you pull out your frozen Cheesy Baked Spaghetti to share.

Oh, and I forgot one thing.  After you make this dish, you might as well get on the treadmill.  But, just remember--its cheesy goodness is worth every minute of sweat and tears.

What food do you think is WORTH time on the treadmill?

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Spring Table Preview: Place Cards

I'm working on a longer post full of happy springy photos and ideas, but I thought I'd give you a little preview today...

Recently, I decorated a pretty Spring Table for a cooking class event at our church.  For my table, I focused on ideas that were EASY to do, INEXPENSIVE, yet PRETTY.  Ahh--3 of my favorite words!

The place cards hit all 3 of those wonderful words!  Want to know how easy they were?  I only did 4 things to create these Spring Place Cards...

1 - I bought a package of 8 yellow silicone baking cups at Hobby Lobby.  (They were $3.99--but 40% off!!)

2 - I filled each cup with jelly beans (after eating...quite a few!)

3 - I used a toothpick, and stuck it into 1 jelly bean.  Sometimes, I used my fingernail to "pierce" the jelly bean, if it was being stubborn.  I did break a couple of toothpicks before figuring out the fingernail piercing method.  (A highly technical process, as you can see!  Ha!)

4- I cut little rectangles out of plain notecards, wrote on the names, and taped to the toothpick.

That's it!  4 easy steps to creating darling little Spring Place Cards!  And won't your guests just love nibbling on the jelly beans?

What's your most recent EASY, INEXPENSIVE, and PRETTY idea??